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FIFA

Controversies

Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.

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  1. 2026

    Controversy over proposed private investment in FIFA Forward Enterprise

    Reports that FIFA planned to place commercial and event operations in a new subsidiary and sell a minority stake to outside investors triggered criticism from UEFA and other football stakeholders. The dispute concerned governance, control of World Cup-related rights, and the role of private capital in international football.

    Source

  2. 2026

    UEFA files notice preparing criminal complaint against FIFA president over FFE sell-off plan

    Lawsuit filed

    UEFA filed notices in a Manhattan court indicating it is preparing a criminal complaint against FIFA president Gianni Infantino over the failed $20 billion plan to sell stakes in FIFA Forward Enterprise. UEFA delivered a 60-page document to FIFA's Coral Gables headquarters. UEFA is considering criminal proceedings in Switzerland.

    Company response

    • Apology — FIFA

      I apologised for the mistakes that we made in relation to the communication and consultation process related to the FIFA Forward Enterprise project, which then led to many consequences

    • Clarification — FIFA

      FIFA said in a separate statement that details of the investor project "remain confidential due to ongoing legal proceedings in the United States"

    Source excerpt

    • UEFA is now considering criminal proceedings in Switzerland — FIFA’s main headquarters is in Nyon, Switzerland — following a review of available evidence.
    • ESPN reports that the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) filed notices today in a Manhattan court indicating that it’s preparing a criminal complaint against Infantino over the failed $20 billion project.
    • “Infantino is facing accusations of ‘fraudulently’ offering the stake in FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) without due process and consultation with the FIFA hierarchy,” according to ESPN.
    Source

  3. 2022

    UKLFI complaint over anti-Israel incidents at FIFA Arab Cup

    Issue disclosure

    UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) stated that it sent FIFA a formal complaint concerning alleged anti-Israel incidents at the FIFA Arab Cup, and called on FIFA to take action against discrimination. The report describes the complaint and the allegations it contains; it does not report any determination by FIFA on the matter.

    UK Lawyers for Israel said it sent FIFA a formal complaint concerning alleged anti-Israel incidents at the FIFA Arab Cup, calling on FIFA to take action against discrimination. The article reports the allegations and does not report a FIFA determination.

    Source excerpt

    • The UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) volunteer organization sent a formal complaint to the Fédération Internationale de Football Association ( ) this past week, calling on them to take action towards eradicating discrimination in sport, following numerous anti-Israel incidents last month at an official FIFA event.
    Source

  4. 2021

    EA responds to reports about FIFA in-game spending prompts

    Company response

    In 2021, EA issued a formal response to controversy over leaked internal documents reportedly describing messages in FIFA that encouraged players to switch to a mode involving paid in-game purchases. EA said the reports omitted important context, denied that it guides players to spend, and stated that in-game purchases are optional. The response addressed the controversy without further details on the documents or any outcomes.

    Company response

    • Denial — EA

      我们从不会“引导”玩家在我们的游戏里消费。

    Source excerpt

    • 我们从不会“引导”玩家在我们的游戏里消费。
    • EA官方就该报道引发的争议做出了正式回应，以下为回应原文：
    • 这份文件中称在EA发行定价80美元的游戏《FIFA》中，玩家会收到消息，鼓励他们切换到需要花费金钱内购更多补充包的游戏模式。
    Source

  5. 2020

    EA responds to criticism of FIFA Points advertising in a children's catalogue

    Company response

    After criticism of FIFA Points advertising in a children's toys catalogue, EA said the advertisement had appeared in an environment where it should not have and that it had begun an immediate review of future media placements.

    Stated objective. EA said it was working to ensure its marketing better reflected its responsibility for younger players' experience.

    Company response

    • Investigation — EA

      We have also undertaken an immediate review of all future media placements

    • Remediation — EA

      We have been working diligently with Smyths to ensure this advertisement is not distributed in any remaining copies of their 2020 catalogue.

    Source excerpt

    • The tweets have sparked negativity on both Twitter and forums such as Reddit, with EA accused of "normalising in-game purchases for kids" in an unethical way.
    • We have also undertaken an immediate review of all future media placements and are working to ensure each of our marketing efforts better reflects the responsibility we take for the experience of our younger players.
    • We have been working diligently with Smyths to ensure this advertisement is not distributed in any remaining copies of their 2020 catalogue.
    Source

  6. 2015

    FIFA corruption crisis

    Investigations into alleged bribery and corruption involving football officials led to arrests, indictments, resignations, and the resignation of president Sepp Blatter. The crisis prompted demands for stronger governance, transparency, and compliance controls and preceded Gianni Infantino's election.

    Source